Visual Impairment? What Cami Sees

by Rachel CordeiroSep 6, 2012Advocacy, Special Needs Parenting13 comments

Visual impairment is one of the special needs diagnoses Cami, daughter Rudy and Rachel Cordeiro, lives with. Today, Rachel blogs about what Cami can see.

Visual impairment is one of the special needs diagnoses Cami, daughter of guest bloggers Rudy and Rachel Corderio, lives with. Today, Rachel is back with a guest post about what her daughter sees beyond her visual impairment.

Beyond Visual Impairment: What Cami Sees

One question I have been asked numerous times is, “What can Cami see?”

Whether people asked out of curiosity, fear, concern, sympathy, or their own need to be reassured, I would try my best to answer clearly. Yet with each answer, I grew more dissatisfied with what I said, bothered by something I couldn’t explain.

I rambled on about lights, colors, shapes, contrasts, and curbs, but found it difficult to express the uncertain. My answers were colored with illustrations and assumptions based on observations—with a hint of my own imagination.

Then, a thought hit me. After eight years of trying to determine and convey what Cami could or couldn’t see, I realized there was no need to guess.

Why?

Because I already knew.

She sees the wind when it blows through her hair, every strand caressing her face.
She sees the bird whose cheerful song greets her each morning while waiting for the school bus.
She sees the ice cream truck as its faint “Pop Goes the Weasel” music floats into the back yard where she plays.
She sees the tiny bumblebee whose loud buzzing causes her to run away in tears.

I now realize what had bothered me about my answer over the years—it wasn’t the truth. I had been so consumed with finding the right answer, I almost missed the obvious. In the midst of trying to decipher and define what my daughter could see, I was the one who couldn’t.

But now I do. And the next time I’m asked what Cami can see, I will answer confidently.

She sees everything. Just differently.

Who Is Visually Impaired?

This post makes me think about who is really visually impaired. Is it Cami? Or was it Rachel before she realized how much her daughter can see? Or is it those who ask about what she can see? Please share what you think in the comment box. I’d love to hear your perspective and Rachel would, too.

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By Rachel Cordeiro

13 Comments

Jolene on September 13, 2012 at 9:26 am

Loretta,

Thank you so much for your comment. Rachel’s transparency is a blessing to all of us.

Jolene
Loretta Smith on September 12, 2012 at 6:18 am

Thank you so much for your transparency. As I reflected upon what you wrote all I could think was the Scripture in John 8:32, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” I can’t help but think of the freedom you experienced when you came to the truth of what your situation was. Conviction was upon you, you surrendered to the conviction, then God gave you the answer you were needing and maybe even longing for. Your writing sounds for the freedom that comes from the truth. I needed this today for my own personal situation. May God BLESS you for sharing in transparency and truth!
Rachel on September 7, 2012 at 1:07 pm

Joanna, you are right. I’ve learned so much through Cami’s life that is applicable to all of my children–special needs or not.

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings to you,
Rachel
Rachel on September 7, 2012 at 1:03 pm

Renee– As I mentioned to Emily, I do think people mean well in asking but sometimes it gets tiring, doesn’t it? I’m glad you feel encouraged to use a different answer and I’m sure people will appreciate hearing his perspective in seeing.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Blessings to you,
Rachel
Rachel on September 7, 2012 at 12:58 pm

Thank you, Tricia! I’m glad it could be a blessing and help in what you are facing in your own life concerning your son’s visual impairment. It’s amazing what our children teach us, isn’t it?

Blessings to you,
Rachel
Rachel on September 7, 2012 at 12:54 pm

Thank you for your kind comments, Naomi! It is something that we could all ask ourselves, isn’t it? What am I seeing…about a person, situation, etc. Thanks againg for reading! =)

Blessings to you,
Rachel
Rachel on September 7, 2012 at 12:53 pm

Emily, I think many people often have a preconceived idea of certain disabilities such as blindness and deafness. In their minds they consider blindness to be 100% complete darkness, or deafness to be 100% silence, when in actuality (of which I’m sure you are aware)the majority of people living with such disabilities only have a partial impairment, but an impairment nonetheless and one which effects their day to day life.

I do think the reason for people’s questions is driven by a need to be reassured because they feel badly to hear your child has difficulty seeing or hearing, etc. Or maybe they are trying to envision what kind of struggles your child must face? As you know it’s just hard to place a definition on something which is all that your child has known (and in my case, my daughter struggles to communicate anyway). I usually try to respond to questions as politely as possible but in the process I want to educate the person asking as well.

I’m glad this post was an encouragement to you. And you’re right that your son does hear–just differently! =)

Blessings to you!
Rachel
Johanna Hanson on September 7, 2012 at 12:21 pm

What a lovely perspective, Rachel. I know that I need to think this way, even if my children aren’t visually impaired.
Jolene on September 7, 2012 at 9:41 am

Rachel’s post makes us see things differently, doesn’t it?

Jolene
Renee on September 7, 2012 at 7:38 am

Ray is 2 with cortical visual impairment. I get asked the same question. Thank you for a better answer. Love being sent your way.
Tricia Tiller on September 6, 2012 at 4:03 pm

What a beautiful post! You have caused me to think about my own son’s visual impairment in a different way.
Naomi on September 6, 2012 at 3:33 pm

Beautiful! And thought provoking. What do I see?
Emily on September 6, 2012 at 2:31 pm

I think that is a great answer! I have a hearing impaired son and everyone asks me what he hears. Or tells me that he can hear them even without his hearing aids so he must not really have hearing loss. It can get aggravating but I try not to let it get to me. The fact is he can hear with or without aids but he still doesn’t hear the same way everyone else does even with them. I will have to steal your answer next time I’m questioned because “he clearly can hear me talking”. 🙂 He does hear you he just hears it differently! 🙂 Thanks for the encouragment! 🙂